Caroline Ashleigh's Publications

• An Interview with Caroline Ashleigh, Caroline Ashleigh's Blog on Bigsight March, 2011 Throughout her career as a property appraiser, Caroline Ashleigh has pursued several specialty areas of focus. As the founder and owner of her private company, Caroline Ashleigh Associates, LLC, she regularly surveys and assesses the value of precious items. I had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Caroline Ashleigh, the transcript of which follows. Question: Thanks for your time today, Caroline. First, what were some of the deciding factors that guided your decision to pursue a career as an appraiser? Caroline Ashleigh: It’s my pleasure to talk with you. As I was growing up, my home was filled with antiques and art, and that influenced my decision to attend New York University, and learn about appraising the fine and decorative arts. I have always had a great appreciation for art, and I think of my career as an enjoyment, not an occupation. Question: You opened your own business, Caroline Associates, LLC, in 1993. What are some important aspects of your business plan? Caroline Ashleigh: I think of my work as two distinct entities: the private business that I conduct for my client base, and the public efforts I maintain, such as my appearances on Antiques Roadshow. It’s very important for me to keep both of these roles in mind when making business decisions, and that helped me gain several positions with major museums and auction houses in the U.S. Question: Can you give me an example of one of your projects? Caroline Ashleigh: In 2005, I was lucky enough to work with Todd Fisher, who is the CEO of the Hollywood Motion Picture Collection. He’s the son of Debbie Reynolds, and he contracted me for a job assigning value to her collection of Hollywood costumes. This project took me to California, where I spent time with Ms. Reynolds’ memorabilia and assessed the condition of the collection, which included costumes from movies like The Wizard of Oz, Blood and Sand, and The Seven Year Itch. The collection in all is valued at more than $50 million. Question: I know that you have experience in all kinds of valuables. What are some of your areas of expertise? Caroline Ashleigh: Well, I also have a passion for couture. I even wrote a book about shopping for vintage shoes. Some of my other focal areas include antique furniture, photography and paintings, and textiles.

• Caroline Ashleigh's Wise Words on Appraisals, Caroline Ashleigh's Blog on Bigsight May, 2011 Caroline Ashleigh strongly recommends getting a written appraisal for your valued items. She suggests that you consider the following: First, Find an Appraiser 1. Find an appraiser who specializes in and is qualified to evaluate your object. In other words, do not hire a jewelry appraiser to value furniture. 2. Make sure the appraiser is a member of a professional not-for-profit, appraisal organization such as the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), or the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) 3. Ask the appraiser for credentials and references. 4. Understand that fees range from $100-$400 per hour depending on the area of the country and the individual appraiser. Obtain a written agreement detailing the services to be performed and the fees to be paid. 5. Never pay or expect to pay a percentage of the value of the item or items being appraised; that is illegal. Second, Prepare for the Appraisal 1. Have any prior appraisals, bills of sale, exhibition history, or other documents related to the item available for the appraiser to examine. 2. Prepare a list of the items to be appraised and make sure all items are readily available for the appraiser to examine. Third, Review the Appraisal Report 1. The final written appraisal document should include an accurate, complete description of the item, detailing the date, country of origin, physical condition, and measurements. 2. The appraisal report must clearly state the purpose of the appraisal (replacement value, fair market value, insurance value, etc.), the date the items were examined, the date/s they were valued, and the effective date of the document. 3. A good appraisal presents impartial and confidential information.

• Caroline Ashleigh on the Appraisal Studies Program at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Caroline Ashleigh's Blog on Bigsight July, 2011 Although personal property appraisers in the United States have established a strong media presence through appearances on cultural touchstones such as Antiques Roadshow on PBS, professional programs in appraisal studies remain few and far between. As the only official partner of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the Appraisal Studies Program at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS) sponsors a joint program with the country’s oldest professional organization in the field of personal property valuation. Current association members may also complete courses in the NYU-SCPS program to gain continuing education credits for recertification. My own affiliation with the Appraisal Studies Program at NYU-SCPS dates back to my time there as a student. After I completed my Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts, I returned to NYU-SCPS to serve as an adjunct faculty member in the Appraisal Studies program. In addition to building practical skills in research methods and appraisal writing, students in the program gain familiarity with the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), deepen their knowledge of key principles in law and ethics, and establish specialized areas of expertise. Comprehensive coursework can help appraisers develop the skills and knowledge that they need to build successful practices, and the Appraisal Studies Program at NYU-SCPS offers an opportunity to develop a broad base of knowledge in the field for prospective and practicing appraisers alike. About the author: A Certified Member of the AAA and a Certified USPAP Appraiser of The Appraisal Foundation, Caroline Ashleigh frequently contributes to Antiques Roadshow Insider, Arts & Antiques Magazine, and the Antiques Roadshow Collectibles Primer. For more information about her appraisal and consulting firm, Caroline Ashleigh Associates, LLC, visit AppraiseYourArt.com or AuctionYourArt.com.

• Caroline Ashleigh Values Hat Pins on Antiques Roadshow, Caroline Ashleigh's Blog on BigSight October, 2011 Caroline Ashleigh, owner of AuctionYourArt.com and an HGTV regular, has appraised many pieces on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow through the years. In this video, Ashleigh evaluates a collector’s hatpins, which women wore in their large hats between the late 1800s and the 1920s. Made of silver, gold, copper, brass, as well as glass, ivory, gems, or coral, hatpins became increasingly decorative over time. Some even contained a powder puff and mirror. Collecting hatpins for 35 years, the collector now owns around 200. She bought her first hatpin for $2 at an antique store. Paying around $12 for a hatpin in the past, the collector currently pays around $90 to $100. Pointing out that hatpins have gradually become scarcer, Ashleigh noted the intricate designs, shapes, and colors on the affordable, historical collectibles. “They’re just exquisite,” said Ashleigh, rating the entire collection at $10,000 to $12,000. Caroline Ashleigh_Hat Pins Transcript.docx

• Caroline Ashleigh Presents Auctionyourestate.com , Caroline Ashleigh's Blog on Bigsight January, 2012 For more than 25 years, founder Caroline Ashleigh and her staff of professionals continue to deliver complete personal property appraisals for a range of clients. Recently, Ms. Ashleigh launched a new website, Auctionyourestate.com. The web destination allows estate sale clients the opportunity to increase exposure and profit through merging on-site and online antiques, jewelry, and fine and decorative art auctions. Dealers, collectors, and individual clients partnering with the Auctionyourestate.com team benefit from the counsel of certified appraisers who maintain a clear code of ethics. Each week, Auctionyourestate.com presents thousands of collectibles for sale. In order to set the dollar value of objects, experts work closely with clients in order to establish authenticity. A complete asset liquidation service, transactions completed at Auctionyourestate.com are given meticulous attention and conducted with professionalism and accuracy. Researchers and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraiser Practice (USPAP) certified appraisers ensure that objects are valued at full worth. Also, Auctionyourestate.com offers full marketing services and home staging. Details such as security guards, broom sweeps, and transportation services are regularly arranged for clients. Earning senior certification from the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), Auctionyourestate.com founder Caroline Ashleigh owns Caroline Ashleigh Appraisers and Auctioneers. An antique and fine art authority and regular guest on the PBS television program Antiques Roadshow, Ms. Ashleigh has worked with museums and as a consultant at auction houses, including William Doyle Auctioneers and Sotheby’s. She also oversees the websites Auctionyourart.com and Appraiseyourart.com. In addition, Ms. Ashleigh will soon launch appraiseyourwine.com, a website for wine aficionados.

Caroline Ashleigh's Links